The League of Women Voters of Manatee County would like to express appreciation to the Manatee Board of County Commissioners for approving the project with Tunnels to Towers and U.S.VETS on October 10, 2023.
Once built, this project will provide housing and supportive services to Veterans in our county who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This decision is an action in alignment with the Florida Housing Coalition's Roadmap to Address Homelessness (presented in March 2023) which called out the need for Permanent Supportive Housing.
We also thank every voice that called, emailed, or made a public comment to demonstrate our commitment and shared value to support solutions that ensure a strong and stable pathway to affordable housing and dynamic support services and structures that provide options instead of obstacles to community members who are experiencing poverty or homelessness.
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Dianna
Only Commissioner Kruse actually wanted the T2T project. Remember that this was “town hall-ed” by Van Ostenbridge and his political aide and the political consultant for the 6 commissioners, as a “homeless shelter” and a “homeless camp” and they continued to promote it that way even after the meeting had started- because the public was still receiving texts and e-mails during the last meeting. Listen to the commissioner’s comments not only at the last meeting but at every meeting. Look at Bearden’s full-on rant hating this project and those associated with it- so much so, he has staff put up a picture of a homeless person outside a building somewhere and tries to blame T2T and US VETS for them being there. Thankfully, T2T put on an excellent presentation showing the public that they had been tricked and that this project was actually more of a gated community for veterans with wrap around services. I firmly believe that this project was approved solely on the backlash of the community and the loss of veteran’s vote. We will not forget this at the ballot box.
Saturday, October 28, 2023 Report this
san.gander
Right Dianna. There are enough veterans that vote in this county; and hopefully they will remember the "disrespect" the entire veteran community received from nearly "all" of the County Commissioners REAL services and help for veterans. Enough FALSE "we thank you for your service" speeches from these Commissars for the Developers... it was time to do the right thing and only one spoke up for real help for vets. Bearden, VanOstenbridge, I suggest you move out and live at the site you wanted for the vets... the road next to the gypsum phosphate pits! Oh yes, I hear the retaining liner for the pit may be leaking again... how about a little "glow-in-the-dark" poison ground water, as taxpayer monies are spent cleaning up again! Sure, dump the water in the bay, kill the flora and fauna there!
Sunday, October 29, 2023 Report this